Riving machine



E. MILLER RIVING MACHINE Oct. 27, 1931.

Filed June 24, 1929 V INVENTOR EDWARD M/LLER. TORNEYS 1 .MH f MW Patented; Oct. 27, 1931 UNITE-D STA TES A EDWARD MILLER, or HUNTINGTON PARK, :cAuroRNrA, ASSIGNOR ro'nvnns PROD- A PATEN r. easier:

' UCTS COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE RIVING MACHINE.

Application filed June 24, 1929. Serial No.- 373,158.

This invention relatesto riving machines andhas for its principal object the provision of a new and novel construction whereby an article of more uniform thickness andof smoother surface-may be obtained than with those constructions now conventionally employed. 1

Another object is to provide a r1v1ng machine in which strips of material are removed by a knife from a block of stock by a true slicingoperation. I 7

Another object is to provide a riving machine in whichboth the block of stock and the knife edge are disposed at an angle to the relative athof movement of the knife. Another ,0 ject is to provide a rivlng machine in which the stock is automatically compressed between the knife edge and the table during'the cutting operation.

Another object is to provide a riving machine having a table angularly positioned with respect to theplane of movement of,

the cutting edge.

I Another objectis to provide a riving machine having an angularly adjustable table.

, Another object is to provide a riving machine having a knife whose upper surface recedes downwardly away from the cutting edge, and which upper surface is/provlded with a plurality of vertically ad ustable bear' ing members or buttonsat pointsspaced from thecutting edge. 1

A further. object is to provide means preventing distortion of the trailing end of the cutting edge of the knife of a rlvmg machine by the pressure of the veneer strip being cut by the same. v I

The above beingamong the objects of the present invention, same consists in certain novel featuresof construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described with reference-to the accompanying drawings, and then claimed, having the above 4 and other objects in View, r

In the accompanying drawings, which illus views,

Fig. l ismore orless a diagrammatic plan view of a I 1V1Ilg machine. f

F 1g. 2 1s asectional View taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlargedsectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken transverselythrough. the knife of the riving machine. I I I It has long been attempted in riving machines to produce'a. construction by which a .true slicing action of the stockwill result.

This is desirable because of thefact that by a true slicing action a smoother cut may be obtained and less energy expended in making the cut. As far as I am aware, the attempts to attain this slicing action'have taken the form of positioning the cutting edge of the knife at an angle to the path of travel ofthe knife and placing the block'of stock square with-respectto the path of travel of the cutting edge of the knife. In this respect these constructions have failed to obtain a true slicing action for it will be apparent that in such j constructions each increment of length of the cutting edge of the knife moves straight through the block of stock without the-lateral movement necessary to obtain a true slicing r action. the point on the cutting edge meeting a side edge of the block continues through the block in the same relation to such side edge. Conse- In otherwords, in such constructions quently, it is obvious that there can be no true slicing action with sucha construction. I

have discovered that the angularity of the cuttingedge of the knife to the path of travel has no relation to the obtaining of a true slicing action of the knife on the stock, but that this true slicing action'can only be obtained by properly angularly positioning the grain of the stock with'respect-to the path of move-- ment of the cutting edge of the knife, and this fact has never been realized heretofore. However, in order to realize certain other advantages, such as a minimum distance of travel of the knife, which permits a lighter and faster cutting machine, I prefer not only to place the grain of the wood at a predetermined angle to the path of travel of the cutting edge, but also to position the cutting edge itself at an angle to the path of travel of the knife. Furthermore, I prefer to place the cutting edge at an angle of or less to the direction of its movement. The result is that when the knife passes through the stock each point on the cutting edge thereof travels in a relatively diagonal path through the block. In other words, each point on the cutting edge travels simultaneously towards two adjacent sides of the block of stock,thus resulting in a true slicing action. Inasmuch as the grain in such stock always extends in parallel or substantially parallel relationto one of the sides of the block of stock, the entire extent of such blockbeing engaged at once by some point in the blade and each point of the cutting edge moves simul aneouslyi across and with the grain of the wood,

ventional;constructions of riving machines is that-rconsiderable difficulty has been experienced in obtaining a veneer-like strip of uniform thickness throughout by the cutting action of a riving machine. I have found that if sufficient pressure can be exerted to urge the block of stocktowards the table, a strip of stock of imiformthickness will be re moved from the block of stock. Howevenit is impractical to apply to the top of the block of stock sufficient. pressure to obtain the desired result, for in such case the friction of the stock on the top surface of the knife causes an .undue heating of the knife edge with consequent distortion thereof, which in itself causes a variation in the thickness of the strip removed. I have discovered a construction by whichany desired amount of pressure may be exerted on the stock being "cut between the knife and the table only, this means being automatic in operation and eliminating the necessity of applying more than a nominal amount of pressure to the top of the block of stock. thus eliminating any possibility' of the friction between the upper surface of the knife and theblock of stock endangering the true; form of the cutting edge.

Referring to the drawings, I show a riving machine including a frame having a pair of sidebars 10, each of which carries an angle iron member 11 extending longitudinally thereof which formsa track for the carriage 12 which is adapted, in case the work isheld stationary,-as shown, to slide back and forthbetween the frame side members 10. The carriage12 is shown as provided with a knife-supporting portion 13 which may extend from one near end and corner of the frame 12 towards theoppositecorner or end thereof. QTheangular-ity of this portion 13 with respect to the direction of the path of travel of the knife, controls the same angularity of the knife and is shown in the drawings as approximately 16 this being a preferable amount for a block of stock of the relative proportions shown. This supporting portion is shown as provided in its upper surface with a plurality of transverse inclined grooves 14, in each of which is received a wedge member 15 controlled in its slidable position through an adjusting screw 16. The knife 17, which preferably extends parallel to the supporting portion 13, then seats upon the upper surfaces of the wedges 15 and its upper surface is slightly inclined to the horizontal, as indicated in Fig. 3, with the cutting edge 18 thereof positioned at the highest point of the blade. The knife 18 is shown as clamped down against the wedges 15 and the wedges 15 may be clamped in the grooves 14: by screws such as 19 which extend up through enlarged openings 20 in the portion 13 and through the elongated slots 21 in each of the wedges 15 and thread into the body of the knife 17. The blades 17 is shown as also provided with a plurality ofbutton members 22 on its upper surface, positioned away from the cutting edge .18 for the purpose of preventing the block of stock, during operation of the machine, from tipping. over on to the face of the knife after the knife has passed through more than half of the block of stock All of this method of supporting the knife edge thus far described is the same as that explained in detail in my application for Letters Patentof the United States for improvements in riving machine filed August 27, 1928, and serially numbered 302,209. The only difference in the construction thus far described is that in the present instance the knife 17 is positioned at an angle to its path of travel and the button members 22 are vertically adjustable, this adjustment being taken care of as indicated in Fig. 4 by threading the shank 23 of the button members through the knife 17. The reason for this vertical adjustment is to provide means whereby these button members may be adjusted to a predetermined vertical relationship with respect The table 30 in the'present case is shown as provided with one edge which extends in parallel relationship with respect to the cutting edge of the knife, and immediately below the same. This edge is provided with a pressure bar 31 which may be secured in place by set-screws such as 32 and adjusted verfically by means such as shims 33. The height of the pressure bar above the table is shown exaggerated in the drawings for -;the' purpose of ease of explanation. This feature is described in my previous application abovereferred to. The table in the presqent, case, however, instead of being formed asan-integral part; of the frame 12, or being rigidly secured thereto. is shown mounted upon theframe 12 in the following manner: Each end of the table is provided with a downwardlyextending lug 34 adjacentthe pressure bar 31 and the frame 12 is provided with, a pair of upstanding c0- operating lugs 35. A pin 36 is provided between'each of the lugs 34 .andits corresponding -lug'35 so that. the table 30 as a whole .may pivot about the common horizontally extending axisof the pins 36. The free edge of the table may be supported in the following-manner: A plurality of vertically extending screws 37'are threaded through .theframe '12 and are each provided at their upper ,end'with a ball 38 which is received jincorresponding but elongated recesses 39 of the table.

formed in the under face of the table, and

are maintainediin such position by means ofiplates such as 40 secured by screws such as 41,01 other suitable means, to the under face of the -.table 30. The recesses 39 are elongated to permit the ball ends 38 to slide laterally of the table during adjustment thereof. These ball ends may, if desired, be left ofi,,and the ends of the screws 37 be permitted to merely bear against the lower face The jlowerend of the screws 37 maybe provided with a head such as 42, upon the periphery of which may be formed a plurality of indicating marks such as 43 which are adapted toco-operate with adownwardly extending blade 44, secured by screws such, as 45 to the frame 12 and provided with indicating markings such as 46, so that the relative vertical position of each of the screws 37 and, therefore, the angular position of the table 30 about the pins 36, may bedefinitely determined and adjusted. These markings -may be calibrated to read in decimal pars of an inch' if desired.

The side members 10 may support a frame indicated generally as upon which may be carried rigid hopper members 51 52 and 53 anda spring pressed'slidable hopper member 54, in conformance with the hopper construction-disclosed in my previous patent application above referred to. The hopper is .so positioned relative to the cutting edge 18 of the knife 17 that one of its sides is arallel to such cutting edge as indicated in the 'drawingsyand it will be understood that, in case only the knife 17 is slidable,

as described, this hopper may be rendered stationary by securing theends of frame 50 to side members 10.

v The block 55 of wood stock from which the veneer strips or plates are to beremovedby the knife is assumed to have been cut to suit able dimensions and positioned in the hopper with its grain: preferably positioned in parallel relation with respect to the cutting edge 18 of theknife. Pressure, either manual or provided by a weight, may be applied to the topiof the block 55 of stock so as to urge it downwardly int-he hopper. The carriage 12 e is reciprocated in any suitable manner. As

the carriage approaches one end of its path of travel the block 55 of s ock is cleared from over-lapping relationship with respect to the knife 1'? and moves downwardly into contact ting edge in passing through the block of stock moves simultaneously towards two adjacent sides of the block, simultaneously across and in the direction of the grain of the wood, and thus a true twhittling type of slicing action of the wood by the knife is obtained. I have found that this true slicing action, which to my knowledge has never before been obtained in a riving machine, results in a veneer strip or plate being cut from the block whichhas an extremely smooth surface and results in a relatively greater length of life to the knife blade than in conventional constructions and requlres less power for operation. 7

The table 30 is preferably adjusted so that itrecedes downwardly from'the cutting edge 18 towards its Opposite edge as best indicated, A with exaggeration, inFig. 3.- I find that in so tipping the table 30 the following action results,As the knife passes through the a block of stock. it acts to draw the block of stock downwardly and attempts to crowdit between the cutting edge 18 and the pressure bar 31. This results in thestockbeingcompressed along the line of severance of the strip from the block with the result that an extremely ,uniformthickness of strip is obtained. I further find that by increasing the angularity of the table30 with respect to the plane of movement of the cutting edge 18 agreater'compression of the wood stock occurs befween the cutting edge 18 and 3 pressure bar This is extremely important because of the fact. that in conventional constructions as the cutting edge 18 \vearsi it tends to lift the stock upwardly in the-hopper out of contact with the table 33 30, while with this construction, that is the angularly disposed table, such upward tendency is completely overcome and-the proper thickness of veneer is cut from the block regardless of the condition of sharpness of the cutting edge 18. These features, together with the features herein shown and completely ness may be obtained in an efiicient and extremely economical manner.

I have also discovered 1n connection with riving machines of this type, particularly where an angular table is provided as described tocompress the wood between the cutting edge and pressure bar, that what is hereinafter referred to as the trailing end of the cutting edge (i. e., that end thereof which is last to engage the block) and because of the overhang of the cutting edge relative to the supporting member 13 and the lack'of a further support at such end, may tend to bend upwardly when passing through the stock and thus result in the strip or plate of veneer removed from the block of stock being of greater thickness over the area severed by this end of the knife. In order to overcome thisbending or distortion of this portion of the cutting edge I provide means as indicated in Fig. 1. The particular means shown comprises a lug 60 which is rigidly secured to the frame 12 and overlaps the trailing end of the'cutting edge knife 17 adjacent said cutting edge 18. A vertical screw 61 is threaded downwardly through the lug 60 and bears against the upper face of the knife 17 adjacent the cutting edge 18 so as to maintain the adjacent portion of the cutting edge from lifting during the cutting operation; The particular means shown is, of course, merely one of a variety of different ways that this bending of the knife edge may be prevented, it being shown merely for the purpose of illustrating a sui able means for accomplishing the desired result.

It will be apparent of course that although I have shown and described the block of stock 55 as being positioned with one of its sides in parallel relationship with respect to the cutting edge 18, this may be varied in accordance with the present invention from such parallel relationship to one of a substantial angle, an important feature being such a relative position and motion of the block in relation to the cutting edge that each point of the cutting edge in passing through the block simultaneously approaches two adjacent sides of the block, the construc tion illustrated being for the purpose of explaining a preferable relationship, in which the line of advance is at such an angle to the grain that the effective portion of said edge has more than twice the length of the block, t will also be apparent that the table may, if desired, be permanently positioned at a definite angular relationship with respect to the plane of movement of the cutting edge 18 and the essential benefits of this 1. In a riving machine, in combination, a.

movable knife, a substantially straight cutting edge on said knife and means for so holding a block of wood positioned to be operatively acted upon by said knife to remove strips therefrom that the grain of said Wood extends at an angle of less than degrees to the path of movement of said knife, and parallel to said cutting edge of said knife at all points in said path of movement.

2. In a riving machine, in combination, a.

movable knife, a substantially straight cutting edge on said knife and means for so holding a rectangular block of wood positioned to be operatively acted upon by said knife to remove strips therefrom that said block of wood has one of its sides at an angle of less than 45 degrees to the path of movement of said knife, and parallel to said cutting edge of said knife at all points in said path of movement.

In a riving machine, in combination, a knife movable in a rectilinear path, said knife having a substantially straight cutting edge, and means for holding a block of wood stock positioned with the grain of the wood at an angle of less than 45 degrees to the path of movement of said knife and parallel to said cutting edge, said means permitting a gravity feeding of said block of stock into a position to be operated upon by said knife 4. In a riving machine, in combination, a knife having a rectilinear cutting edge and means for holding a block of wood stock movable relative to each other, said means being adapted to hold said block of stock positioned with one side thereof at an angle to the path of said. movement and parallel to said cutting edge throughout said movement, and means perm tting a gravity feed of said stock into operative relationship with respect to said.

knife.

5. In a riving machine, in combination, a knife having a rectilinear cutting edge and means for holding a block of wood stock movable relative to each other, said means being adapted to hold said block of stock positioned with one side thereof at an angle to the path of said movement and parallel to said cutting edge throughout said movement, the grain of said wood extending in approximately parallel relationship with respect to said side, and; said means permitting a gravity feed of saidstock into operative'relation ship with respect tosaid knife.

'6. In a riving machine, in combination, a J

movable knife, and means for holding a block of wood positioned to' be operated upon by said knife so that the grain of said wood and the cutting edge of said knife are positioned at the same angle to the path of movement bfsaid knife and so that the effective portion of the' knife edge has more than twice the length of said block.

7 In a riving machine, in combination, a movable knife, and means for holding a rectan ul ar block of wood positioned to be operative to theplan'e of movement of said cutting edge, bearing members carried by said knife "in spaced relation with respect to said cutting edge and'between the body of said knife and said body of-stock, and adjustable means for controlling the relation between I said bearing members and said'plane of movement of said cutting edge, whereby said body of stock is borne in spacedfrelation to the body of said knife.- j

9. In a riving machine, in combination, a

reciprocableknife having a cutting edge,

in eansrforholding a body of stock,the body of said knife being angularly positioned rel-- ative to. the plane of'movement of said cutting V edge and between the body of said knife and said body of stock, and bearing members threadibly engaging said knife in spaced relation to said cutting edge and being adjustable with respect to said plane of movement of said cutting edge, whereby said body of stock is borne in spaced relation to the body 0f said knife.

10. In a riving machlne, 1n combinatlon, a

reciprocable frame having a knife supporting portion, a knife earned by said portlon and having a cutting edge overhanging said portion, means securing said knife to said portion, said cutting edge being disposed angularly with respect to the path of movement of said frame, and additional means for maintaining the trailing end of said cutting edge against displacement during operation of said machine.

11. In a riving machine, in combination, a reciprocable frame, a knife carried thereby having its cutting edge disposed at an angle to the path of movement of said frame,means securing said knife to said frame, and addi- 1 tional means co-operatingbetween said frame and the trailing end of said knife said additional means being adjustable for maintaining the trailing end of said'cutting edge against upward displacement.

12. In a riving machine, in combination,a

reciprocable frame, a knife carried by said frame and reclprocable therewith, said kmfo being provided with an overhanging cutting edge, disposed at an angle to the path of travel thereof, a lug carried by said frame in overlapping relationship with respect-to the trailing edge of saidknife, and a screw extending through said lug and bearing against said knife adjacent the trailing nd ofsaid cutting edge.

18. A riving machine having, in combination, a movable knife having a cutting edge,

and a co-operating table movable therewith,

said table having a groove therein, a guide member in said groove, said guide member cooperating with said cutting edge, shim members in said groove holding said guide memberin adjust'ably spaced relation to said cutting edge, and a set screw retaining said guide memberin said groove.

14. A riving machine having, in combination, a reciprocable frame, a knife supported on said frame, a cutting edge on said knife, a table co-operable with said cutting edge, pivotally mounted on said frame, and micrometer adjustment means for controlling the pivotal position of said table comprising a micrometer screw threadedin said frame, a

swivel connectionbetween one end of'said screw and-sald table,-a' graduated'dial on the other end of said screw and a graduated pointer co-operatingly mounted adj acent said dial, on said frame. r

15. A riving machine having,in combinae 7 tion, a reciprocable frame, a knife supported on said frame, a cutting edge on said knife, a table co-operable with said cuttingedge, pivotally mounted on said frame, said frame having a; threaded. hole therein, ascrew threaded in said hole, a ballon one end of said screw, said table having a socket, and a member secured to said tableretaining said ball in said socket.

16. A riving machine having, in combination, a reciprocableframe, a knife supported on said frame, a cutting edge on said knife, a table co-operable with said cutting edge,

pivot'ally mounted on said frame, saidframe having a threaded hole "tlnirein, a screw threaded msaidzhole, said table and said screw having a universal connection, the lever arm between the edge of said table co-operating with said-knife and said pivot beingv relatively shorter than the lever arm between said pivot and said universal connection,

whereby accurate adjustment is made. V

17-. In a riving machine, in combination,

acutter headvp rovided with a knife,'means for directing stock into position to be oper-- ated upon by said knife, the cuttin edge of said knife being positioned v angul arly upward, and in advance of the body thereof in respect to the direction of feed of said stock,

and means having a limited surface area movabe with said knife for preventing the body of said stock from contacting with the body of said knife, said means comprisin a plui'alityzof spaced bearing button mem ersadjusjtably threaded intothe body of said knife,

and means locking said buttons in adjusted position. i

18. In a'riving machine, in combination, a cutter head provided with a knife, means for directing stock into position to be operated upon by said knife, the cutting edge of said l n te being positioned angularly upward and inadvance of the body thereof in respect to he direction of feed of said stock, andadjustable bearing means having alimited surfaceea both transversely andlongitudinallyof cutting edge movable with said'knife for eventing the body of said stock from con- 1 cting with the body of said knife, and ad- Te respect to the direo'ion of feed of said stock.

19. In a riving machine; a hoppergmeans i o er for supporting a bock of wood 4 r g incnt by a knifeedge at a predeterin'ned in tance from a lowerface of said b ock: a knife provided with an edge whose length substantially exceeds the length of "said block inthe direction of the grainofsaid block; and means for so guiding a sliding movementflof relative advance between'sald. lnufeand d block as to produce a whittlingsaid block in the direction of the grain of said block; and means for so guiding a sliding movement of relative advance between said knife and'sai'd block as to produce a whittling type of cut-inn action in which the effective portion ofsaid edge has more than twice'the length of said block, said block-supporting means being provided with means for adjustably predetermining-an inclination thereof.

21. In a riving machine; a hopper; means therebelow for supporting a'blockiof wood for engagement by a knife edge at a predeter- "--mined distance from a lower faceof said block: a knifeprovided with an edge whose length substantially exceeds the length of said block in the direction of the grain-of H said block; andmeans forso guidin a sliding 'movement of; relative advance etween table toward or from the body of said saidknife'andsaid block as to-produce a whittling type of cutting actionin which the effective portion of said edge hasmore than twice the length of said block,-said blocksupporting means being provided withapressure bar and with means for'adjustably predetermining a local compressive action between said edge and said bar.

22.111 arivingmachine; ahopper; means therebeloW-for supporting a block of wood for engagement b a-knife edge at a predetermined distance rom a lower face of said block: a knife provided with an edge whose length substantially exceeds the length of said block in the direction of the grain of saidblock; and means for so guiding a slid ing movementof relative advancebetween said knife and said block as to produce a whittling type of cutting action in which t e eifective portionof said edge has more than twiceth'e length of said block,-said blade being provided'with means for varying the 111- movement of relative advance betweensaidknife and said block asto produce a whittling type of cutting action in which the eflective portion'of said edge 11 as more thantwice the length of said block,-said blade being provided withmeansobviating a distortion of the trailing end of said edge.

i EDWARD MILLER. 

